Contents

Ministerial Foreword

We know our climate is already changing. We see it all around -
record rainfall and flooding, droughts and wildfires, and worrying
reports of shrinking ice shelves breaking up in Greenland. The
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has made clear that
global average sea levels may rise by as much as 0.83m by 2100 -
placing ever greater pressure on our coastal heritage and
communities affected by coastal flooding.

Although the aggregate impacts of climate change in Scotland
might be less severe than in many other parts of the world, the
impacts for individuals, businesses and communities can be
distressing and damaging and it is important that Scotland is well
prepared and resilient to change.

That is why taking action on climate change is a very high
priority for me and the Scottish Government. This means adapting to
the impacts of climate change that we are already experiencing and
will experience in the future, while also contributing to global
efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions to prevent much greater
change.

Preparing effectively for unavoidable climate change and
reducing emissions are both essential actions if we are to ensure
sustainable economic growth in Scotland - the overarching purpose
of the Scottish Government - and to best protect our much valued
ecosystems and species.

Climate change is not just an environmental issue - the impacts
are also felt by businesses, communities and individuals. Our
climate affects people's health, our road and rail services, water
supplies, energy demands, tourism - the list is almost endless.
Adapting to these changes is not something that governments can do
alone. It depends on organisations, businesses, communities and
individuals understanding the impacts of the changing climate and
taking action to prepare for its effects.

Regrettably, given the impact of cumulative greenhouse gas
emissions to date, we cannot eliminate all the risks we face from a
changing climate. There is already considerable uncertainty
regarding the extent of the impacts of climate change that is
underway. Many of the factors likely to affect the degree of future
climate change are, at this time, uncertain - for example the
extent of future population growth and technological developments.
But uncertainty is not an excuse for inaction. The challenge is to
ensure that the actions we take to adapt are flexible and can be
adjusted as our understanding improves.

I am grateful to all those who have engaged with us as we
developed Scotland's first statutory Climate Change Adaptation
Programme. Success will depend on everyone across Scotland
accepting responsibility for their share of action and working in
partnership. Clear leadership, advice and guidance from government
is vital and I am committed to ensuring that existing and future
Scottish Government policy, as far as possible, helps Scotland
adapt to the effects of climate change to create a more resilient
country for us to live and work in, and to help protect Scotland's
much loved natural environment. This first Scottish Climate Change
Adaptation Programme is a key part of that commitment.